DAX Slips to 11-Month Lows
Germany Stock Market Frankfurt’s DAX 40 closed about 2% lower at 22,380 on Friday, the lowest since April 2025, marking the third consecutive session of declines. Traders weighed the risk of further escalation in Middle East tensions, reviving concerns over a prolonged energy crisis and price pressures. According to the Wall Street Journal, the US is sending three warships and roughly 2500 additional marines to the Middle East to reinforce positions in the war with Iran. In the meantime, Israel claimed to have killed two senior Iranian security officials, which could prompt fresh retaliation. E.ON (-5.7%) and SAP (-4.2%) posted the steepest losses in equities, while Siemens Energy, MTU Aero Engines, Rheinmetall, GEA Group, Zalando, and Siemens all fell more than 3%. On the upside, Heidelberg Materials and Infineon were the top performers, rising 3% and 1.4%, respectively. For the week, the index logged a 4.6% decline.
FTSE 100 Hits 2026 Low on Oil Surge, Rate Hike Fears
The FTSE 100 dropped more than 1% on Friday to its lowest level this year as rising oil prices and growing expectations of rate hikes weighed on sentiment, with investors concerned that higher energy costs could trigger an inflation spiral. The Bank of England’s more hawkish tone has reinforced the likelihood of tighter policy. Banking stocks declined, with HSBC down 1.8%, Lloyds 1.6% and Barclays 2%, while oil majors Shell and BP fell 1% and 3.3%. Healthcare names AstraZeneca and GSK also slipped, alongside heavyweights Rolls Royce, BAT, Rio Tinto and Glencore, while BAE Systems lost 3%. Travel stocks offered some support, with EasyJet up nearly 2% and IAG 1.4%. The index is down about 2.7% this week, marking a third consecutive weekly loss.
